Let us sit here together: present, still, quietly resting... Observe the changes that take place in your mind under the light of awareness. Even your breathing has changed, and become not two, with your observing self. This is also true of your thoughts and feelings, which, together with their effects, are suddenly transformed. When you do not try to judge or supress them, they become intertwined with the observing mind.
May the sound of this bell penetrate deep into the cosmos. Even in the darkest spots living beings are able to hear it clearly, so that all suffering in them ceases, understanding comes to their heart — and they transcend the path of sorrow and death.
From time to time, you may become restless; and the restlessness will not go away. At such times, just sit quietly, follow your breathing, smile a half smile and shine your awareness on the restlessness. Don’t judge it, or try to destroy it — because this restlessness is you yourself. It is born as some period of existence and fades away, quite naturally. Don’t be in too big a hurry to find its source, don’t try too hard to make it disappear… Just illuminate it. You will see that little by little, it will change, merging — becoming connected with you, the observer. Any psychological state which you subject to this illumination will eventually soften, and acquire the same nature as the observing mind.
The Universal Dharma Door is already open; the sound of the rising tide is heard clearly; the miracle happens — a beautiful child appears in the heart of a lotus flower — one single drop of this compassionate water is enough to bring back the refreshing spring to our mountains and rivers.
Throughout your meditation, keep the sun of your awareness shining… Like the physical sun which lights every leaf, and every blade of grass; our awareness lights our every thought and feeling, allowing us to recognize them, be aware of their birth, duration and dissolution. Without judging or evaluating, welcoming or banishing them, it is important that you do not consider awareness to be your ally, called on to supress your enemies which are your unruly thoughts. Do not turn your mind into a battlefield — do not have a war there. For all your feelings, joy, sorrow, anger, hatred — are part of yourself.
Awareness is like an elder brother or sister, gentle and attentive — who is there to guide and enlighten. It is a tolerant and lucid presence, never violent or discriminating. It is there to recognize and identify thoughts and feelings, not to judge them as good or bad, or place them into opposing camps in order to fight with each other.
We will see that when light shines, darkness does not disappear — it doesn’t leave. It merges with the light; it becomes the light. To meditate means to observe. Your smile proves it. It proves that you are being gentle with yourself; that the sun of awareness is shining within you, and you have acquired some peace.
Listening to the bell, I feel the afflictions within me begin to be solved… My mind calm, my body relaxed. A smile is born on my lips. Following the sound of the bell, my breath brings me back to the safe island of mindfulness. In the garden of my heart, the flowers of peace bloom beautifully….